The New York Rangers find themselves outside of a playoff spot and facing significant roster uncertainties as they head into the offseason.
There has been speculation about the Rangers potentially trading some key forwards, but NHL insider Peter Baugh of The Athletic believes the team could also risk losing a young star via an offer sheet. Baugh suggests that rising salary caps and a relatively weak unrestricted free-agent market might prompt teams to be more aggressive with offer sheets, particularly targeting restricted free agents like K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle.
“Given the increasing cap and the success of the St. Louis Blues with players like Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, teams might be more inclined to pursue offer sheets this summer,” Baugh wrote. “With the Rangers’ limited cap flexibility, clubs could potentially target players like Cuylle or Miller, similar to how St. Louis pursued Edmonton’s RFAs last summer.”
Baugh highlights that a team like the Chicago Blackhawks, who have ample cap space and draft capital, might offer Cuylle a contract worth $4.5 million. If the Rangers choose not to match, they would only receive a second-round pick in return for one of their top forwards. Matching the offer, however, would further strain their cap situation. Baugh notes that this dilemma may push the Rangers to address RFA contracts sooner rather than later.
Both Miller and Cuylle have been impactful for the Rangers this season. Miller has recorded 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists) in 59 games, while Cuylle has tallied 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 65 games. Despite their contributions, the Rangers’ limited cap space could make them vulnerable to losing one or both players to an offer sheet.
Insider Expects Rangers’ Cuylle & Miller to Get a Raise
Will Cuylle is wrapping up the final year of his entry-level contract, and Baugh anticipates that he will receive a raise this offseason. Cuylle, who earned just over $828,000 with the Rangers this season, has established himself as one of New York’s top forwards, making a salary increase likely.
Similarly, Miller will become a restricted free agent (RFA) on July 1 and is also expected to see a pay bump. He is finishing up a two-year, $7.74 million contract and, with arbitration rights and a rising salary cap, the 25-year-old defenseman is poised for a raise from his current $3.872 million average annual value (AAV).
However, with the Rangers facing salary cap constraints, they will need to make some difficult roster decisions during the offseason.
Rangers Re-Sign Veteran Goalie
New York did made a move, re-signing veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick for a one-year contract.
Quick has performed admirably as Igor Shesterkin’s backup goalie. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has agreed to a one-year $1.55 million contract.
This season, Quick has a 9-6-2 record, a 3.14 GAA, and a.896 save percentage.